Summary: Bruce Carter had some disappointment at the start of the season when fellow Tar Heel standouts were suspended, and at the end of it when he tore his ACL. His outlook heading into the 2011 NFL Draft would certainly be much different had he played on an elite defense and finished the year healthy. Instead there are lingering doubts.

Linebackers on the weak side are not as coveted in the draft as it is, but Carter is one of the top prospects in that spot. This is not to say a team won't bank on his athleticism hoping he can add weight and play in their 3-4. His contribution blocking kicks has to be considered because teams are always looking for special teams help in their linebackers.

Player Comparison: Quincy Black. Neither player is known for tackling prowess, and they share very similar height, weight and speed measurables. Whereas Black saw his stock rise with a strong showing at the Combine, Carter's medical has him trending down. In the final analysis, however, it looks like Carter might be an early third-round pick just as Black was.